COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONThe newest Abita brew takes its name and inspiration from the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. Looking for Indians on Mardi Gras Day is a tradition for many New Orleans families. A cultural phenomenon familiar to residents of the Crescent City, the Mardi Gras Indians are not well known to outsiders and Abita is proud to help share their story with the world.

I usually don’t care for IPA bitterness, so I am reluctant to even open one. Looking at the other ratings, I understand why I like this one, because it does not really qualify as an IPA according to many raters. The aroma has the hop overtones of an IPA, but taste is much sweeter and does not smack you across the face with grapefruit. The finish also lacks that IPA after taste that hangs around seemingly forever. Apologies to you IPA fans, but this is to my liking.

Bottle from Archive Beer Boutique 100415. While this is only my 7th beer from Abita Brewing Company it is one of the best, only behind Turbodog. Poured with a very deep yet even layer of foam and a vibrant orange colour. Aromas exude pine needles and fresh picked citrus. In the mouth the beer is full bodied with the flavours hitting all parts of the mouth and staying around long after the beer has gone. Good balance of hops and malt , not too hoppy. Big thick finish with a slight sweet stickiness and no bitterness.

Twelve ounce bottle from Abita variety 12 pack bought at Jeff’s Marathon, tasted on April 3, 2015. Cloudy amber color, pleasant aroma with citrus and tropical fruit dominating, well integrated flavors with prominent tropical fruit character. Hops presence could be bigger but this is still a good beer.

UPDATED: APR 3, 2015 From a 355ml bottle on 3/4/2015. Pours a very dark golden with a small to medium head. The aroma is a balance of caramel malt and fruity hops. Flavour wise, it’s more on the malty side, with carmel and toffee notes prominent, though there’s a bit of citrus fruit sweetness in the background. The bitterness is moderate and lacks the usual grapefruit/resin character typical of US style IPAs. Medium bodied and average carbonation. Okay but mediocre for the style.

Bottle, bb 11/15. Amber with an inch of white head that lasts well. Aroma of bitter oranges, caramel, diesel, pine, some odd notes that are kind of like the meaty end of tropical fruits. Sweet with toffee, some more of those fetid fruit notes, pine, Moderate bitterness struggles to get through the sweetness. Not good.

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